Chicago Politics

CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL 12.16.25

Description

Mayor Johnson presides over a meeting of the Chicago City Council.

Transcript

0:00 in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings

0:30 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery, two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the city council.

1:18 Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting.

1:56 Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind, 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage, 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters, 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search.

2:34 And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

3:11 City of Chicago, City Council, Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027. Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request.

3:45 First, individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery, two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the city council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

4:24 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any

5:00 any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

5:33 Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027

6:07 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the sergeant-at-arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, 1. when entering or exiting the gallery.

6:42 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council, profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

7:13 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, Throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.

7:49 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And five, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons, cell phones, and other...

8:31 I'm seeing who's here. I think we will. Mic check one, two. Mic check three, four. Mic check and a mic. Mic one. Mic two. Mic three. Mic four. Good morning, Alders. Please remember to log in to your devices. The meeting will begin shortly.

9:02 Thank you. City of Chicago, City Council, Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027. Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, The sergeant-at-arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public.

9:35 These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery. 2. When providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council.

10:11 Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting.

10:50 Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search.

11:27 And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms.

12:04 City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request.

12:40 Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery. Two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

13:17 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.

13:54 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

14:26 Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the Sergeant-at-Arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027

15:01 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, 1. when entering or exiting the gallery.

15:36 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council, profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

16:06 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to,

16:39 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

17:15 Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027

17:50 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery, two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council.

18:38 Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances. Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log into your devices. Thank you.

24:10 City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure The Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request.

24:45 Individuals must remain seated at all times except, 1. when entering or exiting the gallery. 2. When providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

25:22 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery.

25:52 Remember to log into your devices. Thank you.

26:23 ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by

26:57 the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the sergeant-at-arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times, that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees.

27:27 All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry, or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, 1. when entering or exiting the gallery. 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council, profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant at arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

28:11 Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.

28:48 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

29:20 Cell phones and other small handheld recording. devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public

29:51 meetings 2023 to 2027 pursuant to rule 58 of the chicago city council rules of order council will come to order madam clerk please take a quorum roll call advice to record your votes and mark your attendance i will now call those who did not

31:30 respond alderman robinson not present in chambers alderman hall not present in chambers alderman Alderman Harris, not present in chambers. Alderman Beal, Alderman Beal is present. Alderwoman Ramirez, not present in chambers. Alderman Coleman, not present in chambers. Alderman Curtis,

32:03 Alderman Curtis is present. Alderman O'Shea, Alderman O'Shea is present. Alderman Mosley, not present in chambers alderman rodriguez not present in chambers alder person fuentes not present in chambers alder person rodriguez sanchez not present in chambers alderwoman nugent alderman nugent is present alderman vazquez

32:41 not present in chambers. Alderwoman Clay not present in chambers. Alderman Haddon not present in chambers. Your Honor we have a quorum. Very well there are 38 present 12 that are absent. We do have a quorum. Alders Mosley, Harrison Ramirez have requested to participate in today's meeting remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59. Can we receive confirmation that they are

33:15 available online. Alderman Harris? Here. Alderman Harris is here. Alderman Mosley? Alderman Mosley? And Alderman Rodriguez? Ramirez is present. Farewell. So Ramirez and Harris are both present? Mosley's present. And Mosley is present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can I get a motion for the approval of their participation remotely? It's been moved. All those in favor

33:47 signify by saying aye. Any opposed, say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Madam Clerk, please add them both to the quorum roll call. Let's stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. So rise. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You can kindly remain standing.

34:20 for our invocation, which will be delivered by Pastor Jason Hevelson from the Church in the Square. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, you are good and your steadfast love endures forever. What a gift to wake up with breath in our lungs and purpose in our hearts. What a joy to be commissioned as your servants and neighbors to do justice,

34:50 love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. What a privilege to seek the welfare of our city together. I pray for my friends, these who offer their intellect, their ability, their time, and their volition to be a terror to bad conduct and participants in good trouble. I pray that in their hustle, they would know your peace. In their weakness, they would know your strength. And in their desire, they would know your goodness, truth, and beauty. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts

35:20 be pleasing to you, our Lord, our Rock, and our Redeemer. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. All right, you may have your seats.

36:18 Chair recognizes Alderman Irvin. Thank you, Mr. President. Looking at today's agenda, the question that I'll ask to the body is that we have no committee reports. Is there any other business that is sought to be done today? If there is no business, then I would ask for a motion to adjourn. But if there is other business, then we should proceed if there is other business.

36:48 Yes, the chair recognizes, Alderman Beal. Mr. Chairman, our rules say that if we do have a quorum, we have to have public comment first before we look to adjourn. Okay, so the question is, do we want to proceed with the meeting if there's no business? barring, of course, the portion of the meeting for public comments.

37:19 So the question is still the same, even with public comments, does this body wish to carry out an entire meeting if there's no business? Chair recognizes Alderman Lopez. Thank you, Mr. President. I concur with our colleague from the Ninth Ward. Unless we are suspending the rules to avoid public comment, we have to continue until a motion is made to adjourn in the order as prescribed by the rules of order and procedure.

37:54 Very well. I think what, and I'm just going to interpret, the question was asked, should the meeting proceed if there's no business? It's not a matter of whether or not public comments will be permitted. I don't believe anybody has an issue with public comments. If the question is absent, would you all need to come to order? Otherwise, I'm going to ask you all to leave. So public comments, but the question is, after public comments, then, do people wish to carry on with a meeting with no business?

38:26 The chair recognizes Alderman Beal. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, after public comment, I do have business that we need to attend to. Oh, okay. Well, then there we have it. The chair recognizes Alderman Vasquez. uh thank you mr president one just wanted to be kind of a roll call but two i had a question related to items on agreed calendar as we had resolutions that might pass in this meeting so is that something that would move forward as part of business okay well i think we've already determined that business will proceed so thank you it's just a question all right put the chair

38:58 recognizes alderman hall like to be added to the role yes please add alderman alderman hall and Vasquez to the quorum roll call all right are there any other orders that wish to be added to the quorum roll call very well mr. clerk the council will now begin the public comment period which is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. each speaker is limited to three minutes speakers cannot yield or transfer their time to another speaker any written comments that have been submitted will be posted and made available for automatic review our first speaker this

39:30 morning is George Blakemore good morning a non-functional government a non-functional government, the mayor, and these fit the ultimates, non-functional government. And you know this is supposed to be a part-time job, but they get paid full-time

40:03 money over $100,000 or more expense and all they can steal. They are all corrupt here. A non-functional government, the black ones, the white ones, the Hispanic, the Asian, all of them is no check in balance. Now, what is their political party? They're all Democrats. They're all Democrats. All my life, I've been a Democrat. But when I

40:41 was looking at this non-functional government here. I decided to change. And I said, President Trump, come here and clean up this swamp. And then they had a go raid and then flip raid. Why are you doing this, Mr. Blakemore? Revenge. I'm doing it because of revenge. a non-functioning government, like communist China, fascist Germany, or Russia, no chicken,

41:15 one party system. That's no good. What does it do, Mr. Blakemore? It breathes waste, fraud, and abuse. And they all, look, while I'm talking, you see this man right here, O'Shea, and they look at Mr. Hall down here, they disrespect us, especially the people in the black community with this taxation without representation. Sit down, O'Shea. Sit down.

41:47 Well, out in Beverly. All of y'all, all of y'all are disrespectful. When the public comes to speak, you must keep quiet and play like you're listening to the public speaker. I think you're a bully. I think as I told you, called you out, now you're looking at me. We got to call them out. One by one. We got to call them out. One by one. By name. All of them.

42:17 And did you know this country was built on violence? The French Revolution, the American Revolution. Mr. Blakemore, how can you get them all out? Uh-huh. How can you get them all out? What did the Colleges do to Great Britain? Did they bowl them out? Did they try to communicate with the Boston people? They threw them out! Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Zoe Lee.

43:01 The bogus budget that's trying to be passed today through the Committee on Finance because Christmas is next week. Just know we will be working hard to unseat all of you. It's time to clean house, and our volunteer list is growing every day. The budget is not for the working class and not for small businesses to grow. Only more money. Tax increment financing, TIF, sent to CPS to continue harming our children. That's why we must come for the disgraced 50 and the pitiful 20.

43:32 It's uncomfortable truth. Now, Brandon, you have really embarrassed the city. You really do not know what you're doing. You don't care and you're arrogant and you act like you're a baddie. You act like we owe you. Tell Mayor Stacey Davis Gates, Gates Davis, whatever her name is,

44:05 to tell you to step down and get somebody else in here to save our city. You can't tax any corporations because we don't have any corporations. Y'all killed them through COVID. OK, so you really owe them something. If you want to tax corporations, let's talk about these real estate corporations. Wells Fargo.

44:36 Wells Fargo should be paying out the A for black people. If you want to talk about corporations, you're not laying off anybody, but you're going to raise them raises that nobody should get no raise. nobody nobody should get a raise that's crazy no boat yacht tax no tax period the migrant crisis that's what you needed to talk about that 2.2 billion dollars that you and the progressive hispanic kkk caucus stole yeah let's talk about the covet 19 surplus money let's talk about that

45:12 epidemiology money let's talk about that line item for that 220 million dollars in this 2026 budget that you put in 2024 for new arrivals when I'm homeless because you won't settle my case because you arrogant because you a baddie, you a Tony Preckwinkle why Tony Preckwinkle just spent a million dollars on a new home, why y'all property taxes going up through the roof Trump, the beautiful African ladies in Chicago

45:44 we need your help we need your help and we need you to bring the feds federal oversight we need federal oversight because they're stealing black people's property and he's doing it with the lion's den Joshua Davis Stephen Davis the mother thank you very much for your comments our next speaker is Alex Goldberg good morning

46:29 I'm going to do a dramatic reading of a SunTimes article from Friday in the voice of an appalled billionaire. Chicago's head tax was long called a job killer, but is there evidence to back that up? A WBZ analysis of employment data finds a lack of evidence that Chicago's previous head tax or its repeal is to blame for job trends in Chicago and sheds light on who the mayor's new proposal could affect by Mariah Wolfel and Amy Quinn, December 12th, 2025. For as long as I've

47:00 been alive, Chicago's employer head tax has been derided in one colorful way or another as a job killer in 2011 when the city council voted to slash and repeal the policy by 2014 former mayor rahm emanuel plotted the council members and declared the head tax is a job killer that's right a wbz analysis of city tax data and publicly available economic data reviewed by four economic and labor experts found a lack of evidence that chicago's previous head tax or its repeal is to

47:30 blame for job loss or growth in Chicago. Oh, no. WB's analysis sheds light on who would potentially be affected by Johnson's proposal. Less than 1% of all licensed businesses in Chicago, roughly 20% of jobs at companies across the city, and companies where an average salary is estimated to be roughly $110,000 per year. Johnson had argued that those costs to large companies are worth the revenue from attacks earmarked for community safety programs that have played a role in historic reductions

48:01 in Chicago's violent crime. Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson has seen compelling evidence that would constitute calling the head tax a job killer? Everybody asks the question, he says, and the answer is no, I haven't seen it. If the head tax had been designed differently to actually encompass all employers, I would be more concerned about it being a job killer

48:32 than the way it is currently designed, said Audrey Guo, an economist at Santa Clara University. When Rahm Emanuel worked to kill the head tax, the union representing librarians, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, urged Emanuel and the city council to reverse course. The defense of a corporate tax giveaway, while suggesting that working folks take a pay cut, is out of step with most people's values. AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindell told the Chicago Tribune at the time,

49:05 why should the men and women who make our libraries run bear the funding shortfall alone? Mayor Rahm Emanuel's priorities look a lot more like those of the president's anti-union budget slashing protect the wealthy, political opponents. That sounds about right. The evidence is resounding. The head tax is not a job killer. Thank you very much for your comments.

49:36 Our next speaker is Zitlali Adame. I'm so sorry, what was that name again? Zitlali Adame. Our next speaker is Dominic Cappias.

50:08 Good idea. Good morning, everyone. Mayor Alders, my name is Dominic Cappias. I am the general manager of Smoke Station in Logan Square, and I came here again today to once again urge you not to pass the Quinn hemp ban and to tax and regulate, not ban, hemp. Some quick facts. I told you all last week that your press release says 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually. Well, the CDC's own figures put that estimate at 178,000 for 2024.

50:45 Alcohol, according to the CDC, is the most commonly used substance among people 12 and older. Now, there have been no documented deaths from marijuana, from cannabis, and certainly not from hemp. Why are we even talking about banning a substance when we tax and regulate a substance that is demonstrably more dangerous to our children in our communities? We have tens of thousands of liquor stores in Chicago.

51:18 We have no problem regulating this. Now, I'm not against alcohol. I'm a drinker. But we must treat our regulations with reason, not rhetoric, and not demagoguery. Let me show you a quick story with one of my regulars. Her name is Miriam. She and her mother live in severe chronic pain, and only the strong edibles that hemp stores sell give them any relief. dispensaries are prohibited from selling

51:51 cannabinoids with strength in that quantity. You can't get over 100 mg from a dispensary that, I'm sorry, for people with severe pain, that's just not enough. It looks like I have plenty of time. Oh my god, I'm faster than I thought. Now everyone, I'm going to speak a bit off the cuff here.

52:22 With the 50 seconds that I have, look, We sell hemp to regular people. We call it every single individual. We have never sold hemp to anyone under 21. I warn people when they ask for my strong stuff, for the strong edibles and the strong plow that I sell, to be careful to only do this when you have weight tolerance. I point them to a milder product.

52:55 if I don't think they'll be able to handle what they're looking at. And frankly, I do not appreciate being called shady when we have certificates of authenticity, excuse me, COAs. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Marla Bramble.

53:28 Hi, good morning, Mayor, City Council. I've had the pleasure, and sometimes not pleasure, of coming here for years. I've been fighting to work to improve Chicago residents' lives, bringing affordable housing, community safety, health care, and dozens of issues that, frankly, if we weren't organizing, wouldn't happen in this city. And you know it. I've worked with many of you here in this council over many, many years.

54:00 We fought side by side, and I want to believe that many of us still share these values together. So today I'm here supporting the Protect Chicago budget. We need to keep moving in this direction. The community safety surcharge doesn't only protect people who benefit from the programs that it funds. It benefits all of Chicago.

54:30 For years we've been hearing people say, Chicago is so dangerous, no one wants to live here, everyone's moving out, The businesses are moving out. While violence still happens and none is ever okay, the statistics are trending downward. Why would we not fund programs that help continue on this track? Why would we stop doing what we know works?

55:02 We're finally seeing statistics that we haven't seen in decades. and we need money to pay for it, just like everything. We're talking about, for the corporate head tax, we're talking about the top 1% of corporations with the adjusted numbers of who pays for this, taking this to corporations that have over 500 employees.

55:32 Y'all, this isn't small business. These are multi-million, multi-billion dollar corporations. It is less than two cents on the dollar for them. People don't even have pennies in their pocket anymore. That's how irrelevant it's become. Not the people who are working there. And the salaries that are most affected are over $100,000. What are we really talking about? Do we want to see violence continue so that we can have a reason to continue to fight for draconian measures?

56:09 Is that really the agenda? I really encourage you to think about when you came into office, when you were sworn into office and who you pledged to serve. Are you serving Chicagoans or are you serving corporations? because the way our country is going, we're at risk of losing our democracy. Thank you very much for your comments.

56:41 Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Brenda Duncans. Our next speaker is Brenda Duncans. Our next speaker is Angie L.

57:16 Good morning, Mayor and members of City Council. My name is Angie, and I'm here with the Latino Union of Chicago. Across the city, black and brown workers who keep Chicago running are being pushed into dangerous informal labor markets with almost no protection. Day laborers and street vendors are routinely exposed to wage theft, discrimination, ice targeting, and violence simply because they are looking for work and are brown. Hiring corners have become sites of fear and harm, where abuse and intimidation are normalized and accountability is absent.

57:48 As Babino, the face of fascism itself, returns to the city, the risks facing workers only intensify. At this moment, it is paramount that the city of Chicago offers workers dignified places to work, to look for work, and dignified working conditions, rather than leaving them exposed to violence, harassment, and exploitation. Because the city has failed, everyday residents have had to fill the gap. The Latino Union built a network of more than 100 volunteers who show up at hiring coroners to accompany workers,

58:21 de-escalate conflict, and document harm. Neighbors stepped in because government protections were absent. While this volunteer network reflects the strength of our community, it also exposes a bleak reality, a clear gap in governmental responsibility. Safe Hiring Sites offers a real concrete alternative. They would provide indoor designated locations where workers can connect with employers safely, earn income with dignity, and access basic protections, especially during extreme weather and a period of heightened targeting of our communities.

58:54 Without funding this initiative, exploitation will continue to happen. We'll continue to go unchecked, and workers will keep paying the price with their bodies, their wages, and their livelihoods. This is not a costly, unrealistic proposal. This safe hiring site pilot requires $500,000, less than a fraction of 1% of Chicago's budget, and can be funded through existing resources without cutting essential services. For such a modest investment, the city can reduce harm, limit liability,

59:25 and bring stability to neighborhoods that are currently being ignored. Chicago depends on the labor of day laborers and street vendors. yet at the moment that labor is being exploited in fuel view of City of City Hall for a city that prides itself on progressive values leaving black and brown workers behind is not something to be proud we urge the city to move forward and fund safe hiring sites thank you and for the audience and for the audience the over the summer the lot of the hiring coroner saw an insurg of

1:00:00 Haitian immigrants there so this is a black and brown issue this affects this affects our working class and as you can see xenophobia is rampant there are day laborers right now on the street running from their lives I just died and my I just thought in my in my in my group chat we need government action now thank you very much for your comments thank you very much our next speaker is

1:00:31 Lenfetta Thomas don't count this to my minutes but black people are the freed men of the descendants of slaves only. There's no such thing as black and brown if you're not acknowledging descendants of slaves only when you say black. But members of the council, Chicago is facing a $1.15 billion corporate fund deficit. That reality demands discipline and shared sacrifice, not gimmicks, not carve-outs, and not raises for people inside this building.

1:01:06 Let's start with facts. The proposed $33 head tax raises about $80 million, less than 7% of the deficit while discouraging hiring and hurting small businesses and non-profits. It does not fix the problem. It distracts from it. If we want real solutions, we have to look at where the money is actually going. First, overtime. The CPD routinely budgets about $100 million for overtime and spends closer to $190 million. Instead of fixing this, the fiscal year 2006 proposal raises the overtime line to $200 million, normalizing

1:01:41 overspending like the fire department we need enforceable caps pre-approval event cost recovery and civilian scheduling reforms can conservatively save 100 to 150 million a year take this down council without reducing public safety second wages and personnel costs no one is calling for layoffs but in a billion dollar deficit year a one-year pause on across the board raises for non-critical positions is responsible. Protect frontline workers and step increases, but pause blanket

1:02:12 raises. That saves $120 to $180 million, and that pause must include this body. Each alder person earns about $142,000 a year. A typical COLA adds roughly $7,000 per alderman, over $350,000 annually across the council, compounding into future budgets. In a deficit year, no alderman elected or appoints it should receive a raise that's about credibility third contract chicago spends billions annually on vendors targeted rebidding and consolidation in high

1:02:45 cost categories like it security and facilities can generate 150 to 200 million without cutting services for program audit since 2020 many programs expanded using temporary temporary federal funds. Those dollars are gone, but the costs remain. A 90-day outcomes audit and sunset process can save $150 million while protecting court services. Now CPS. CPS budgets for $370 million in TIF surplus support, yet the proposal says $552 million. That's $173

1:03:19 more than planned with no conditions. That access should be redirected to stabilize the city budget. CPS has acknowledged the ability to make $175 million payment back to the city, which should be formalized and tied to efficiency reforms. That's $348 million without cutting classrooms. Finally, revenue without taxing jobs. High-value real estate transaction tiers and enforcement of existing business taxes can raise $150 to $250 million added up. Thank you very much for your comments. However, your time has expired.

1:03:50 thank you very much for your comments however your time has expired Thank you very much for your comments. Thank you very much for your comments. However, your time has expired.

1:04:29 Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Brianna Champion. Good morning, everyone. We are disappointed. We are all disappointed by how agreeing on this budget has been a fight

1:05:03 and has divided seemingly connected members of City Council from each other and from the communities that you represent. Some of you ran on similar platforms and have the same values. Years ago, I remember being a much younger organizer in this city, a time before some of you occupied the seats that you are in today, and I looked up to you. I worked alongside you in some instances, and fighting for the many and not the few was

1:05:33 a value we shared. What happened since then? You know there is no evidence to show that a corporate head tax is a job killer. That argument only serves the interests of those who stand to benefit, and that is not the majority of Chicagoans. I understand nuance, and we know there will be give and take throughout this budget process, but the facts are very clear. It's been two months since the Protect Chicago budget has been proposed.

1:06:07 Does this alternative proposal even have viable revenue solutions in it? It honestly appears to have been a rushed attempt to not tax very large businesses, and that is dangerous policy practice. You cannot claim to champion public safety and be supporting this alternative package. It should not be this hard to agree on common sense solutions. There are other aspects of this budget, and we need to move on to that.

1:06:40 There are only two weeks before the implications are dire. Organizing works, we've seen it year after year, even in these past few weeks, and important concessions happen when we do the work. You all have a lot of organizing to do amongst yourselves and the communities you represent. not just billionaire funders or large corporations. Please have courage in this moment

1:07:11 and stand up for your neighbors that are in economic crisis. Thank you to the alders who have been courageous so far. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Zidlali Adame. Our next speaker is Brenda Duncans.

1:07:41 Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have timely signed up for the public comment. Thank you for all the public comments. There are two members that wish to participate remotely, but before we get to them, the chair recognizes Alder Fuentes. Good morning, Mr. President. I would like to be acknowledged for the purposes of quorum. Thank you. Very well. Please add Alder Fuentes to the quorum roll call. The chair recognizes Rodriguez-Sanchez. Mr. President, I would like to be added to the roll, please. Very well. Please add Alder Rodriguez-Sanchez to the quorum, please.

1:08:13 There are two members. The chair recognizes Alderman Clay. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be recognized for quorum. Very well. Please add Alderman Clay to the quorum roll call. The chair recognizes Alderman Coleman. Be recognized to be added to the quorum. Very well. Mr. Clerk, please add Alderman Coleman to the quorum roll call. The chair recognizes Alderman Robinson. Be added for roll call. Thank you. Very well. Please add Alderman Robinson as well. The two Alders that are wishing to participate remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59 are Alders Haddon.

1:08:51 Mr. Clerk, could you confirm Alder Haddon? Alder Haddon, are you there? Present. Alderman Haddon is present. Okay. And was there anyone else? We already have Harris Ramirez already. All right, can I get a motion for Alder Hatton to participate in today's meeting remotely? It's been moved. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.

1:09:21 Thank you. Resolutions, we do not have any. Next up, communications. The Honorable Anna M. Valencia, city clerk, hereby informs the city council that the following documents were filed in her office relating to the respective subjects designated as follows. Selection of CPS HR Consulting to create Inspector General Qualified Candidate Pool, and the Office of Inspector General's report on Chicago's Police Department's discipline implementation options and record-keeping. City Clerk Valencia also informs the City Council that ordinances authorizing

1:09:52 the imposition of tax levies, approval of budgets, and execution of service provider agreements for Special Service Areas 3 and 59-2022, which were passed by the City Council on December 10, 2025 and which were requested to be published in special pamphlet form were published in special pamphlet form on December 11, 2025. City Clerk Valencia also informs the City Council that the ordinance amending an ordinance regarding the acquisition of property at 11414 South Halston Street from Albertson, LLC for use by the City as a migrant shelter

1:10:22 which was passed by the City Council on December 10, 2025 and which was requested to be published in special pamphlet form was published in Special Pamper Forum on December 11, 2025. Your Honor, that concludes the reports and communications from the Mayor and other City officers. Very well, thank you. We don't have any committee reports either. Matters of agreed upon calendar, the Chair recognizes. Autowoman Dow. Thank you, Mr. President. I have received from the City Clerk, Anna Valencia, a total of 40 items proposed for the agreed calendar, consisting of congratulatory, commemorative, and tributary resolutions from Clerk Valencia

1:10:59 and the following Alderman persons, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Fuentes, Alderman Vasquez, and Alderman Silverstein. I move passage of the agreed calendar and the omnibus. Hearing no objections, so order. Now for new business, the Clerk will call the awards beginning with the 50th. Zoning amendments, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Traffic regulations, traffic control signals, and traffic signs, which are referred to the committee on pedestrian and traffic safety exemption from physical barrier

1:11:30 requirements for commercial driveway alley access for parking facilities which are referred to the committee on transportation and public way all the person admits has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance the transfer funds from the 37th ward allowance account to the automatic expense account for the year 2025 which is referred to the committee on the budget and government operations all the person conway has two proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at 400 South Wells Street, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Alderperson Conway also has a proposed ordinance for clarification of the original 2019-A bond ordinance regarding

1:12:03 authorization and debt issuance, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. Alderperson Irvin has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 28th Ward automatic expense account to the wage allowance account for the year 2025, and also an amendment for the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 28th Ward automatic expense account to the wage allowance account for the year 2025, both of which are referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. Alderperson Coleman has proposed the ordinance for amendment of the Municipal Code Section 4-60-023

1:12:34 to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Garfield Boulevard, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Lopez has proposed the ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-32 by adding a new Section 2-32-145 regarding employee back pay in event of annual appropriation ordinances not enacted, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. Alderperson Beal has proposed ordinance for amendment of the MISPA Code, Section 4-108-080 regarding filling station hours of operation,

1:13:07 which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Robinson has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the Fourth Ward All-Amedic Expense Account to the wage allowance account for the year 2025, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. All the persons in La Spada and others have proposed orders for appropriations for expenditures and amounts levied for the fiscal year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. All the persons in La Spada and others also have proposed orders for amendment of the 2026 Budget Recommendations, Revenue Estimates, and Expenditures, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government

1:13:40 Operations. Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of all the manic introductions. Very well. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. For the approval of the adjournment, we don't have a journal to be approved for today. Unfinished business. The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell. Mr. President, I'm not aware of any unfinished business. Very well. For miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell. I'm not aware of any miscellaneous business either. Thank you. And for the date and time of the next meeting, which has been previously set by ordinance. Thank you very much.

1:14:11 President? Yes, the chair recognizes Alderman Bill. President, I would like to offer up a substitute resolution to amend the current schedule for the next few city council meetings, if we can get that passed out.

1:16:33 Does everyone have a copy? Chair recognizes Alderman Bill. Thank you, Mr. President. It appears everybody has a copy, so I move to substitute the regular schedule that was previously passed with the substitute that is before us, and I move for a roll call vote. Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Irvin. Thank you, Mr. President. I just wish to confirm with Alderman Silverstein that we have no objection of meeting on Saturday the 20th.

1:17:13 Very well. I can't answer that. The question has been raised to me to get to you, Alderwoman Silverstein. Do you object to the Saturday meeting? The chair recognizes Alderwoman Silverstein. Yes, I do object to Saturday. Very well. Thank you. No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I am aware that we have a budget crisis and that this budget needs to be resolved by the end of the year.

1:17:51 So as much as I will not be present on Saturday, if this council needs to do what's best for the city, then I do not object. So no longer an objection from the Alder of the 50th Ward. Thank you, Alden Urban. The chair recognizes Alderman Beal. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, before this was done, we have talked with Alderman Silverstein, and we are definitely sensitive to her religion and what goes with that.

1:18:24 However, we're hoping that if things move accordingly, that we won't need a Saturday meeting. But this is just in case, for emergency purposes only, in order to move forward. there's a motion on the floor to amend the substitution it's a roll call vote has been asked for this vote all right the roll call is in order thank you madam clerk will provide the e-vote application to record your vote at this time.

1:19:04 Okay, voting is now open. Voting is now open. If you are having difficulty, please raise your hand.

1:20:00 Okay, I will now call on those who have not yet cast their vote. Alderperson Robinson? No. Alderperson Robinson is a no. Alderwoman Harris? Alderwoman Ramirez? No. Alderwoman Ramirez is a no. Alderwoman Coleman? Alderwoman Coleman is a yes. Alderman Mosley?

1:20:33 Alderwoman Harris is a yes. Alderman Mosley? No. Alderman Mosley is a no. Alderperson Fuentes? Alderperson Fuentes is a no. Alderwoman Haddon? No. Alderwoman Haddon is a no. Alderwoman Silverstein? Alderwoman Silverstein is a yes

1:21:05 Okay Voting is now closed There are 30 yeas 19 nays The amendment passes On the motion to reconsider Alderman Mitchell All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote Any opposed say nay This motion fails

1:21:36 For the omnibus Mr. President, I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by the first most favorable roll call vote by the Committee on Police and Fire and the Associated... One second. I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by voice vote. Very well. There's been a motion to pass the omnibus by voice vote.

1:22:06 All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed say no. The motion passes. Audubon Mitchell, for the motion to reconsider. Motion to reconsider the vote. All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote, signify by saying aye. Any opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, this motion fails. Very well. Now for the motion for adjournment. Alderman Mitchell. Mr. President, there being no further business for this body, I move that we adjourn. Hearing no objections to order, the meeting is adjourned.

1:22:47 Alderman Mandel has an announcement. Just a second. I know the meeting is adjourned, but Alderman Mandel has an announcement. Yes, just wanted to remind the members of the finance committee that we have a meeting immediately following this meeting. I know we started at 11, and it's after 11, so I just wanted to say please stay gathered. Thank you. Very well. Thank you, Chairwoman.

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